Preble’s 30th Thanksgiving Dinner Held
In Preble County, the recipe for a happy Thanksgiving includes 100 volunteers, 816 slices of pie and 72 pounds of butter.
For the 30th year, the community came together to host MVCAP’s Preble County Thanksgiving dinner at Brunner Arena on the Fairgrounds. A total of 555 meals were served, 305 personally delivered.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this event,” said Preble County Director Janelle Caron. “Without the compassionate community, we could not provide a hot Thanksgiving meal to those who need it most.”
Volunteers included all three Preble County Commissioners: Adam Craft, Dave Haber and Rachel Vonderhaar, Trenton Mayor and state representative candidate Ryan Perry and Eaton Assistant City Manager Joe Ferriell. State Representative Rodney Creech delivered a blessing before the in-person dining began.
MVCAP President and CEO Erin Jeffries also thanked everyone involved.
“Our staff worked tirelessly behind the scenes to coordinate the event, and our partners and sponsors provide the support that makes this long-standing tradition possible,” she said. “We are especially thankful for the incredible volunteers who showed up in force.”
Many volunteers said they have been helping with the event for many years – some from the beginning – and regularly bring their children and grandchildren. That included a few years when the meal was take-out only due to the pandemic.
Sherry and Brian Anderson were happy to be back after missing last year when Sherry was seriously injured in a fall.
“Preble County does so much for the community,” Sherry said. “We just love to help. Sometimes you just need to help. You want people to be able to eat good on Thanksgiving!”
“We love this community,” added Sherry’s niece Laura Doan. “God has been so good to us. We have a lot to be thankful for.”
Long-time volunteer Diane Perry (no relation to Ryan) organizes the recipes and cooking schedule beginning at 7 a.m. The Preble County Fairgrounds offers use of the building for free and some cooking equipment is borrowed from the Preble County Pork Festival, Caron said. Delivery routes are organized by Shelbie Houseman, MVCAP Administrative Assistant/Transportation Coordinator.
“We have a lot of help. We always do,” Caron added. “This community truly has a generous heart and I’m deeply grateful to be a part of it.”
Leftover food was taken to the MVCAP Domestic Violence Shelter, the HIT (Home is the) Foundation Homeless Shelter, My Neighbors House (Thrive Therapeutics) and area churches. Some meals were also taken to the Eaton Fire and EMS Department.
MVCAP thanks our sponsors: the Famous Preble County Fair, Wood Propane, Neaton Auto Products Manufacturing, Inc., Henny Penny, the Preble County Pork Festival, Paula Byers, American Legion Post 377, Grace Lutheran Church, New Hope Church, Lions International, Gene Tapalman, Simon Financial Services, Somerville National Bank, Curtis Anderson, Eaton United Methodist Church, the McCloud Family, United Midwest Savings Bank, Paul Wigger, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Sunvold Family.
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